News Releases

Students will be able to apply class credits earned at four-year institutions of higher learning to earn degrees at two-year schools, as a result of legislation passed today by the House. Senate Bill 6354, sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, requires Washington state institutions of higher learning to develop policies to allow the transfers by Dec. 31, 2017. “Higher education is too expensive for too many students, but this challenge is even worse for students who aren’t able to finish their ...

VIDEO: Three ways to reduce student debt

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, released this statement today regarding the attempt by Senate Republicans to pass of legislation to remove protections for transgender men, women and children in Washington state. You can watch his floor speech on this issue here. “Washington has long had one the strongest civil rights laws in the nation, and today the Senate reaffirmed our law and the fundamental rights of all our people. “For 10 years, transgender people have been using the bathroom ...

Students would be receive better guidance and tools in navigating the pitfalls of digital media and communication, under legislation passed unanimously today by the Senate. “In this digital age, online activities and influences play a larger and larger part in our children’s lives,” said Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, the bill’s sponsor. “This legislation is geared to helping them better process and understand the full impacts of what’s going on around them and with them.” Liias’ Senate Bill 6273 would establish a ...

College students could gain relief from crushing student loan debt through a trio of bills unveiled today by Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, and Attorney Gen. Bob Ferguson. “Spiraling student loan debt is strangling middle class households and those who aspire to middle-class households,” Liias said. “This affects not only students currently taking out loans but also working adults who are still paying off huge debt as well as future students who face the same pitfalls.” Liias’ first bill, the Washington Student Loan ...

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, has asked the state attorney general to investigate the use of ticket bots to profiteer off the sale of tickets to the upcoming Adele concert in Seattle. “The use of ticket bots is profiteering, plain and simple. It’s unfair, it’s exploitative, and it’s illegal,” Liias said. “Last year, the Legislature passed a law prohibiting this practice. If bots have been used to purchase Adele tickets, this should be prosecuted.” Ticket bots, or online robots, are software programs used ...

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, has been chosen to serve as assistant floor leader for the Senate Democrats, where he will help control floor action on all legislation that comes up for a for a vote in the Senate. “I am excited to join the Senate Democratic leadership team,” Liias said. “We have big challenges that need solutions and I look forward to reaching across the aisle to build bipartisan coalitions and address the issues that matter to the future of our ...

Sen. Marko Liias, D-Lynnwood, was named a Transportation Champion today by the Association of Washington Cities. One of several legislators who were honored today by the association, Liias was chosen for his efforts during the 2015 legislative session to develop and ensure passage of a historic, bipartisan revenue package to address critical transportation needs across the state. Among the projects made possible by the package is Sound Transit 3 (ST3), a major plan to extend light rail from Seattle to Everett. “I’m ...